Cook may be bidding good-bye to the Minnesota Vikings after a long-spanning career of six years with the team. Here’s Dalvin Cook landing spot
Dalvin Cook : Landing spot | Why was released
Cook received an invitation to the NFL combine and completed all of the required combine drills and positional drills.
He participated at Florida State’s Pro Day and ran the 40-yard dash, 20-yard dash, 10-yard dash, and positional drills.
He was ranked the top running back in the draft by Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Focus, the second best running back by NFL media analyst Bucky Brooks, and the third best running back by NFLDraftScout.com and NFL analyst Mike Mayock.
Although he was considered to be one of the top running backs, off-the-field problems, prior arrests, character concerns, fumbling issues, and a history of shoulder injuries caused his stock to fall.
NFL draft experts and analysts projected Cook to be selected in the first or second round of the draft.
Dalvin Cook landing spot
Undoubtedly the most talked-about spot for Cook, the Miami Dolphins seem on the surface to be a good fit.
It’s a team looking to make the jump in Mike McDaniel’s second year, and the Dolphins were reportedly engaged in trade talks for Cook.
With that being said, the Dolphins’ backfield is crowded. Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. have been joined by draft pick Devon Achane. So if the trade talks happened before the draft, Cook to the Dolphins could be far less than a done deal.
The other team with strong reported interest in Cook, per Adam Schefter, is the Denver Broncos.
Cook could find himself in much the same position he was in in Minnesota with the Broncos, who have Javonte Williams to handle the lion’s share of the running back load.
However, if Cook would be willing to come in and spell, he could supersede Samaje Perine on Denver’s depth chart.
After the two teams with strong reported interest, the connections become thin.
The Bills simply can’t stop being attached to offensive free agents, as they continue to shore things up around Josh Allen.
The backfield is already veteran-heavy, with Cook’s younger brother James heading up a unit that also has Damien Harris and Latavius Murray.
It’s a bit of a reach for a team that is already spending a lot of money, but the salary cap could be manipulated if the Bills want to add another running back badly enough. They had a strong ground game last year. If they want to avoid a drop-off, Cook could make sense.
Why was Dalvin Cook released
The Minnesota Vikings are parting ways with star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap savings after his fourth consecutive season surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark.
The team announced the move Friday, a day after Cook was informed he was being released, a person familiar with the team’s decision told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
“I’m fortunate to have been around such an enjoyable, talented and hardworking person like him over the last year,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. “He’s etched his name in Vikings history with his production on the field but also by consistently giving back to the Vikings Foundation.
We are thankful for everything Dalvin brought to the Vikings and sincerely wish him all the best in his future.”
Cook, in just six years with the Vikings, reached third on the franchise all-time rushing list with 5,993 yards. He’s fifth in rushing attempts (1,282) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (47).
Cook was scheduled to count more than $14.1 million against Minnesota’s salary cap, which would have been the third-highest figure for a running back in the league behind Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb. Cutting him chopped $9 million off the team’s cap charges for this year.
The Vikings remain on the hook for more than $5.1 million in dead money for the prorated remainder of the signing bonus from the extension he signed prior to the 2020 season, according to data compiled by Over The Cap.
Cook, who will turn 28 in August, has made the Pro Bowl for four straight years. In 2022, he started all 18 games including the playoffs, a first for him as a pro and a particular source of pride after injuries to his knee, hamstring and shoulder kept him from perfect participation over his first five seasons.